ADOR reduces damages sought against former CEO, Danielle and family member by 10 billion won
Published: 05 Jun. 2026, 14:37
Updated: 05 Jun. 2026, 15:28
![Former NewJeans member Danielle walks into the Seoul Central District Court on Aug. 14, 2025 for a hearing for a lawsuit seeking confirmation that ADOR's exclusive contracts with the members remain valid. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/06/05/5ff11087-89ba-4141-bd5f-58f15bc238ec.jpg)
Former NewJeans member Danielle walks into the Seoul Central District Court on Aug. 14, 2025 for a hearing for a lawsuit seeking confirmation that ADOR's exclusive contracts with the members remain valid. [NEWS1]
ADOR has reduced its damages claim against Danielle, one of Danielle's family members and former CEO Min Hee-jin a from total of 43.1 billion won to 33.1 billion won, legal sources said Friday.
“A new legal representative was appointed and reviewed the case, restructuring the claims and partially adjusting the amount sought,” said a spokesperson for ADOR. “We will continue to develop our arguments and evidence as the lawsuit progresses.”
The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
ADOR filed the lawsuit against Danielle and Min in December 2025, saying it would seek legal accountability for NewJeans' departure from the agency and the delay in the group's return.
The dispute began after NewJeans members demanded the reinstatement of Min, who was removed from her CEO position at ADOR during a conflict with its affiliate HYBE. When the members' demands were rejected, they held an emergency press conference in November 2024 and declared that their exclusive contracts with ADOR had been terminated because of the agency's alleged breach of contract. They also announced plans to pursue independent activities.
![NewJeans members hold an emergency press conference on Nov. 28, 2024, declaring that their exclusive contracts with ADOR had been terminated because of the agency's alleged breach of contract. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/06/05/3109d43a-d6c5-4074-9c3c-c77828ae02f0.jpg)
NewJeans members hold an emergency press conference on Nov. 28, 2024, declaring that their exclusive contracts with ADOR had been terminated because of the agency's alleged breach of contract. [YONHAP]
ADOR subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation that its exclusive contracts with the members remained valid. The court sided with ADOR and found that the contracts remained in effect in its first ruling in October 2025.
The ruling became final after NewJeans members chose not to appeal, with the members then expressing their willingness to return to the agency. However, ADOR terminated its exclusive contract with Danielle in December 2025, saying Danielle could no longer continue activities as a member of NewJeans.
Among the NewJeans members, Haerin, Hyein and Hanni have decided to return to ADOR, while Minji has reportedly been engaged in positive discussions about rejoining the agency.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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